Apparatus for covering cores



Oct. 28, 1930. J. M. ROYAL 9,

APPARATUS FOR COVERING CORES Original Filed Sept. 10, 1927 fig. ii

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Patented Oct. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES pmm-aw n JAMES MILLARD ROYAL, 0F VILLA PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TOWESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK APrARA'rUs non oovnanve'oonns Original application filed September This invention relates to an apparatus for Serial No. 218,840,filedSeption is the provision of a simple and improved apparatus by which fibrousmaterial may be expeditiously and economically applied directly to a core. s

"The invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus in which aroving or sliver of fibrous material is separated into its individ-' ual fibres and applied directly to a core. In

one embodiment of the invention, the apparatusjcomprises a material receiving cup or chamber having a plurality of pins which serve to separate the material into its individual fibres as it isadvanced through the receiving chamber by a continuous current of air maintained in the chamber by a centrifugal fan. The separated fibres are carried around an applicator-finger which cooperates with a centrifugal polisher to form the fibres around the core.

a It is believed that a complete understand-' 1 ing of theinvention may be had by reference i 'to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanylng drawing which illustrates a specific embodiment of the invention, and in which i Fig. 1 is a longitudlnal sectional view of an apparatus for covering coresembodyi'ng the features of the invention;

Flg. 2 1s a cross sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectlonal'view taken 011 line 33of Fig. 1,and l v Fig. 4 is across sectionalview taken on line 44;ofFig.1.

The invention is herein illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for applying an insulating covering to an electrical J conductor, It is to be understood, however,

that the novel featuresof the invention are capable of various other applications within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Referringno'w to the drawing wherein like reference characters deslgnate corresponding parts throughout the several views, it will be i observed that a main supporting frame which 10,-1 9 27, Serial No. 218,840. Divided and this application filed-June 29,1928. 'se i ln asazas.

10 from any suitable source of power (not shown) A conduit 15 for feeding the'fibrous material to the applying and polishing mechanism 13 is supported in the upper portion of the frame 11 and extends into closeproximity to the applying mechanism. One end of the conduit 15 extends over a receiving cup or chamber 31 located at the top of the applying mechanism 13. r

The fibrous material, such as cotton, wool or asbestos fibres which is to form theinsulating covering about the conductor 60 is fed into the conduit 15 in the form of a: roving or sliver and passes between feed'rollers 26 driven by any suitable source of power, the speed of which determines the amountof material used by the apparatus and therefore the thickness of the layer of insulation. From the feed rollers 26 thefibrous material passes into the receiving cup 31, the'latter being provided at its entrance witha plurality of pins 32 which tend to separate the roving or sliver into individual fibres. Adjacent the pins 32 in the receiving cup are a plurality of apertures 33 (Fig. 4;) through whicha current of air is passed upon each revolution of the receiving cup as it passes a slot 34 in the flaredportion of the conduit extending over the receiving cup; The individual fibres *of the fibrous material are removed from the fingers 32 by a continuously downwardly moving'current of air maintained by a centrifugal fan 16 having radial blades 17. The

fibres are carried by the air current through an annular passage el provided in the receiving cup and around an applicator finger 42, the front face of which contacts with the conductor and is provided with a plurality of grooves 43 so as not to make continuous contact with the conductorfthroughout its length. A'centrifugal polisher His pivotally mounted on a pin 45 and is urged lightly toward the conductor by a spring 46 until the apparatus attalne its normal speed when-the proper pressure will be applied upon the conductor by the action of centrifugal force upon the pivoted polisher 44.

The air entering the annular passage 41 escapes through the slots 43 and is exhausted through ajnassage 51 by the fan 16, while the fibres carried thereby are formed around the conductor by the applicator finger 42 and the polisher 44. Access may be had to the chamber housing the applicator and polisher by withdrawing the pin 45 and removing the polisher for the purpose ofcleaning the apparatus.

From the above "description it will be understood that by employing an apparatus embodying the features of the invention, the fibrous material may beiexpeditiously and economically applied directly to a conductor so as to constitute a smooth and uniform covering therefor without the necessity for spinning the fibres into a yarn. The present invention also enables the use of inferior grades of fibrous materials which are not susceptible of being spuninto a yarn, and since it has been found that the more interior grades of certain fibrous materials produce a very high grade of insulation, conductors may be expeditiously provided with such insulating coverings at a substantial saving in the cost of the insulating material.

It is to be understood that theapparatus herein illustrated and described is merely a useful and convenient form of the invention and is capable of many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit "and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

IVhat is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous covering to a conductor, a rotatable cup for receiving a roving of fibrous material, a plurality of pins in said cup for separating th fibres of the roving, means for rotating the cup and for producing a current of air to convey the fibres to the conductor, an applicator having a slotted face to permit the air to escape, and a polisher cooperating with the applicator to apply and polish the fibres on the conductor.

2. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous covering to a conductor, a rotatable cup for receivinga roving of fibrous n'i'aterial, a plurality of inwardly extending pins-disposed in the cup for separating "the fibresot the roving, means operative upon the rotation of the cup tore'move the fibres from the pins, and means for applying the fibres to the conductor.

'3. In an apparatusfor applying a fibrous covering to a conductor, a rotatable cup for receiving the'material to be-applied, means for conveying the material fromthe'cup to the conductor,and material applying means actuated by centrifugal force toengage the covering.

4. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous covering to a core in strand form, means for receiving a roving of fibrous material, means associated with said receiving means for separating the fibres of the roving, and a pivoted member actuated by centrifugal force for applying the fibres to the core.

5. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous covering to al core, means for receiving the material to be applied, means for conveying the material from the receiving means to the core, means for applying the material to the core, and a pivoted forming member actuated by centrifugal force' for cooperating with the applying means to form the material into a smooth, uniform covering upon the core.

6. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous covering to a conductor, a rotatable housing having a cup portion for receiving fibres of material, a rotatable exhaust fan within the housing and rotatable therewith for producing a current of air for conveying the fibres from the cup portion to the conductor passing therethrough, a slotted applicator within the housing and positioned between the cup portion and the fan, and a polisher cooperating therewith for applying the fibres to and polishing them upon the conductor.

7. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous cover to a conductor, a rotatable cup, an inlet for directing a fibrous material into said cup, a plurality of pins disposed in said cup to be moved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers from the fibrous material, and means for'applyi-ng the fibers to a conductor. I

8. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous cover to a conductor, a rotatable cup, an inlet for directing a fibrous material into said cup, a plurality of pins disposed in said cup to be moved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers-of the fibrous material, said cup having a passage-way for directing the fiber-s toa core extending therethrough, and means for creating a current of air toward the core.

9. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous cover to a conductor, a rotatable cup, an inlet for directing a fibrous material into said cup, a plurality of pins disposed in said cup to be moved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers of the fibrous material, and means for'imparting intermittent currents of air to said pins.

10. In an apparatus for applying afibrous material to a conductor, a rotatable cup, an inlet for directing a fibrous material into said cup, a pluralityof pins disposed in said cup to bemoved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers of thefibrous material, and means for imparting intermittent currents of air to said pins, whereby-the fibers may be removed therefrom.

I1. In an apparatus for applying fibrous fcovering to aconductor a rotatable cup, an we inlet for directing the fibrous material into said cup, a plurality of pins disposed in said cup to be moved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers of the fibrous material, and means having passage-ways in close proximity to said pins for imparting intermittent currents of air to said pins, whereby the fibers may be removed therefrom. v

12. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous covering to a conductor, a rotatable cup, an inlet for directing a fibrous material into said cup, a plurality of pins disposed in said cup to be moved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers of the fibrous material, means having passage-ways disposed in close proximity to said pins for imparting intermittent currents of air to said pins, whereby the fibers may be removed therefrom, and means, whereby said passageways may be alternately opened and closed.

13. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous cover to a conductor, a rotatable cup, an inlet for directing a fibrous material into said cup, a plurality of pins disposed in said cup to be moved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers from the fibrous material, means for applying the fibers to a conductor, a pivotal polishing member, and means whereby said pivotal polishing 'member may be held in close proximity to the core.

14. In an apparatus for applying a fibrous cover to a conductor, a rotatable cup, an inlet for directing a fibrous material into said cup, a plurality of pins disposed in said cup to be moved into registration with said inlet for separating the fibers from the fibrous material, means for applying the fibers to a conductor, a pivotal polishing member, means whereby said pivotal polishing member may be held in close proximity to the core, and an applicating member having a plurality of engaging portions disposed in close proximity to the core for attracting the fibers to'the core adjacent said polishing member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 20 day of June, A. D. 1928.

JAMES MILLARD ROYAL. 

